TMJ Treatment
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
While stress is a part of everyone’s life, if it is causing you to clench or grind your teeth as you sleep, your teeth may suffer. You could be suffering from a TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact our office:
- Extreme drowsiness during the day
- Personality changes and irritability
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Snoring
- Waking up with a very dry or sore throat
- Frequent morning headaches
At Mill Point Dental, our dentists, Dr. Michael Longlet, Dr. Chelsea Longlet, and Dr. Eric Alston, can help with TMJ treatment with an occlusal splint.
Occlusal Splint/Splint Therapy
A TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) affects that your jaw, specifically at the point where your lower jaw connects to your head. It can be brought on by grinding and clenching your teeth, which is often attributable to stress. If left unchecked, this condition can result in TMJ. TMJ is the result of stress on the cartilage of your jaws. You may wake up with headaches or pain in your jaw. You may have trouble moving your jaw or feel pops and clicks. Your jaw may “lock” from time to time.
Our dentists, Dr. Michael Longlet, Dr. Chelsea Longlet, and Dr. Eric Alston, may recommend an appliance or splint. In some cases, the appliance may be a nightguard, which you will wear as you sleep to prevent injuries from the movement of your jaws. In other situations, you may need to wear a splint for a certain period of time. The splint will be carefully designed to fit you and to meet your smile needs.
If TMJ is becoming a problem for you, we would be happy to see you for an examination and consultation. To get started on a healthy, pain-free smile, call Mill Point Dental at 541-388-0078 today to learn more about TMJ appliances in Bend, Oregon.
